Dempsey provides another key goal, helps Fulham tie West Brom 1-1.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)SoccerTimes

(Wednesday, February 8, 2012) -- Despite some very cold and snowy weather, most Americans playing in Europe managed to get in their weekend matches in a crowded week, especially in England where many clubs played a midweek match.

United States midfielder Clint Dempsey scored another big goal for Fulham last Wednesday, allowing the host Cottagers to emerge with a 1-1 English Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Fulham striker, Costa Rican international Bryan Ruiz, centered a pass to Dempsey in the penalty area and he converted for a 1-0 lead in the 69th minute.

Earlier in the match, Dempsey put a ball in the net only to be negated by an offside call and he hit a goal-post early in the second half.

Midfielder Somen Tchoyi gave West Brom the tie with an equalizer in the 82nd minute.

On Saturday, Dempsey received a yellow card, but accomplished and his teammates contributed little else in a 3-0 road loss at the hands of Manchester City.

Dempsey now stands with 16 goals in all competitions, 10 in league play. This leaves him two short of his own record of 12 goals by an American in a Premier League season, a mark he set in 2010-11.

At the other end of the scale Saturday, U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu endured perhaps his worst day as a professional in Sporting Lisbon's 1-0 elimination by visiting Gil Vicente in Group A of the second group stage of the Portuguese League Cup.

Onyewu picked up a yellow card early. Then, early in the second half, he committed another foul, this one in the box, for a second yellow card and his dismissal. Resultantly, Claudio converted a penalty kick for Gil Vicente in the 59th minute and Sporting, playing a man down, could not generate much attack in its attempt to come back.

In England's Primer League, U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan assisted the only goal, lifting Everton to a 1-0 home upset of league-leading Manchester City.

Domovan took a long cross from defender Leighton Baines long cross with room to maneuver. Hs challenged an opposing defender before laying the ball in the path of advancing midfielder Darron Gibson, whose hard shot from the edge of the box was deflected before settling in the net.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was sharp, making three saves in a 1-0 home upset of league-leading Manchester City.

In Saturday's snow, however, Howard committed a glaring error on a strange play against Wigan in a 1-1 draw. In the 76th minute of a scoreless match, Wigan midfielder Jean Beausejour sent a weak cross into the box. Everton reserve defender Phil Neville got a foot onto the ball and directed it toward Howard, who seemed confused as he let the ball bounce and the spin past him into the net for a 1-0.

Seven minutes later, Everton pulled even 1-1 on a tally by striker Victor Anichebe
Landon Donovan was also sharp, going the distance against Wigan.

On Monday night, American keeper Brad Friedel made three saves in a clean sheet for Tottenham Hotspur in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool. Friedel's best stop came on a blast by Martin Kelly in the 63rd minute.

On January 31, Friedel was also in net for a 3-1 triumph over visiting Wigan n at home at White Hart Lane.

The only goal Friedel gave up was a strange one after Tottenham was comfortable ahead 3-0. In the 81st minute, Wigan midfielder James McArthur's shot deflected off Spurs midfielder Scott Parker, spun crazily, looped over Friedel and caromed in off the far post.

Oft-injured American defender Zak Whitbread was sidelined again for Norwich City, this time with a leg ailment Saturday in the 40th minute of a 2-0 victory over the visiting Bolton Wanderers.

After missing the first three months of the season with a hamstring injury, Whitbread had been getting good reviews before going down

Last Wednesday, Whitbread went the distance in a bad 3-0 beating by Sunderland 3-0.

U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden continues his long rehabilitation from knee surgery for Bolton, which awaits the arrival of American defender Tim Ream, still awaiting visa and international transfer papers to come through.

U.S. keeper Brad Guzan was the backup for Aston Villa's two matches, while American defender Eric Lichaj remains on the shelf with an injury.

In the second-division English League Championship, U.S. defender Jonathan Spector received a yellow card in the 36th minute on January 31, going the distance for Birmingham City in a 4-1 thrashing of Leeds United.

American midfielder Robbie Rogers dressed for Leeds's last two matches, including the loss to City, but did not play.

Nikola Zigic score all four goals for City.

On Saturday, Spector played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Southampton. He also went the whole way last night in a 1-0 decision over Portsmouth.

U.S. forward Robbie Findley did not dress for Nottingham Forest in its 2-0 loss to Burnley on Jnauary 31.